For many of us, the right gear is essential for the perfect trip. Whether it's your custom-fit bicycle for a scenic tour, your lucky golf clubs for a round on a world-class course, or your trusty skis for a powder-filled adventure, having your own equipment can make or break the experience. But the thought of navigating airports with bulky sports gear can be daunting.
The good news? It's not as difficult as you might think! In fact, with a little planning, flying with your sports equipment can be as straightforward as checking a regular suitcase. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from airline policies and packing tips to alternative shipping options.
The Lowdown on Airline Policies
Most airlines are well-equipped to handle sports equipment, and many have clear policies in place.
The general rule is that most sports gear can be checked as standard luggage, though some restrictions on size and weight apply. Several major airlines, including Delta and American, have even eliminated their special oversized baggage fees for common sports equipment, meaning you'll only pay the standard checked bag fee as long as it's within size and weight limits.
Rules for Flying with Ski & Snowboard Gear
With the incredible access from multi-resort passes like Epic or Ikon, you can shred fresh powder in places like New Zealand, the Alps, and Japan. Getting your gear there is as simple as checking a bag. What's cool is that you can pack your skis and boards in a ski bag, and your boots in another bag, and both together only count as one bag. But both together need to be less than 50 lbs else you'll have to pay excess weight fees. If you want to prepare for a variety of conditions, your airline choice may matter:
United Airlines allows two pairs of skis (and poles) and two snowboards in a ski bag.
But American Airlines and Southwest only allow one pair of skis or one snowboard.
Delta Airlines doesn't specify a limit.
There's an important caveat here: your ski and boot bag can only contain skiing or boarding-related gear, like googles or gloves. Don't try to cram a bunch of things like extra jeans or toiletries in there, because then it'll count as a bag by itself rather than get the two-for-one combo.
Another limit to consider for ski and board bags is that airlines have a limit of 115 linear inches on bags. This is the total of length, width, and height added together. If you go over this, the airline might not accept it or charge an oversized bag fee if they do.
Remember, TSA Rules Still Apply
Considering your snow swords may have pretty sharp edges, and the TSA is more than likely going to open it, we have some additional advice too:
Use a padded bag or even hardshell.
Wrap the skis in plastic wrap or something to avoid a TSA agent from getting sliced.
Remember to use a TSA-approved lock for your bags, otherwise they'll break them open to inspect your gear.
If you bring wax, you can (and probably should) pack that in your ski or boot bag. The 3.5oz limit will apply if you try to take these aboard the plane in your carry on. Also, use a solid state iron rather than a torch—under no circumstances can you bring a torch or torch fluid onboard an aircraft.
How to Fly with Your Bike
When it comes to your bike, we strongly recommend a hard-sided case. As you know, bikes can be fragile so packing it very well is essential to preventing damage. A fragile sticker is fine and all, but accidents happen on the airport ramp, so:
Disassemble your bike and pack it securely. Use bubble wrap, and cardboard spacers.
Place a Fragile sticker on both sides of the case, and ask the ticket agent to place their own fragile tag on it as well.
Use a hard-sided case. Soft-sided cases or cardboard boxes will probably require you to sign a liability waiver.
Your packed bike should be less than 50lbs or else you'll have to pay a fee. Some airlines like United and American will waive oversized fees on properly packed bikes, but they still charge the overweight fees.
Pro Tip: Since TSA may still open your case, use a TSA-approved lock and consider including a piece of paper asking the agent nicely to be careful and pack it back a certain way. It's not a guarantee (because they have to move fast) but it doesn't hurt either.
Flying with Your Golf Clubs
There are some truly amazing places to golf all around the world. From all-inclusive resorts like Sandals offering discounted or included tee-times, to the storied links of St Andrews in Scotland, taking your clubs with you is essential to beating par.
All the airlines strongly encourage you to use a hard-sided golf transport case. That case is allowed to contain your clubs, balls, tees, and a pair of golf shoes, but like with ski gear, don't try to cram a bunch of extra stuff in there or they might charge you extra. Additionally, the same rules about size and weight apply - it should be less than 115 linear inches (Length + Width + Height) and be under 50lbs. If you use a soft-sided case or your regular bag with just a hood attached, you'll have to sign a liability waiver and they won't be responsible if clubs fall out and go missing.
Important Note: These policies can change, so it's always best to check your airline's website for the most up-to-date information before you travel.
Pack Like a Pro: Tips for a Smooth Journey
Proper packing is the key to ensuring your valuable gear arrives safely. Here are some tips for packing common types of sports equipment:
Bicycles: To fly with your bike, you'll generally need to do some minor disassembly. This typically involves removing the pedals, turning the handlebars sideways, and sometimes taking off the front wheel. We strongly recommend you pack your bike in a hard-sided case for the best protection.
Skis and Snowboards: A padded ski or snowboard bag is your best friend. Some airlines allow you to pack your boots and other gear in the same bag as your skis or snowboard, which can save you money on extra baggage fees.
Golf Clubs: A hard-shell travel case is the most secure way to transport your clubs. You can also use a soft-sided travel bag, but a hard case offers more protection from impacts.
General Packing Wisdom:
Use plenty of padding. Wrap fragile parts of your equipment with bubble wrap or foam to provide extra cushioning.
Label it. Mark your bag as "Fragile" to alert baggage handlers to take extra care.
Weigh it. Avoid surprise overweight fees by weighing your packed bag at home with a luggage scale.
The Alternative Route: Shipping Your Gear
If you'd rather not deal with checking your equipment at the airport, shipping it to your destination is a fantastic alternative. While you can always use traditional carriers like FedEx and UPS , a growing number of companies now specialize in shipping sports equipment, offering a seamless and often more affordable experience.
The Perks of Specialized Shipping:
Convenience: Companies like ShipGo, ShipSkis , and BikeFlights offer door-to-door service. They'll pick up your gear directly from your home, office, or even your hotel, and have it waiting for you at your destination. This means you can travel light and breeze through the airport without the burden of bulky bags.
Peace of Mind: These services are designed by and for people who love to travel with their gear. They understand how important your equipment is and provide features like real-time tracking, on-time delivery guarantees, and included insurance to give you confidence that your gear will arrive safely.
Expertise: Because they focus on specific types of equipment, these companies know the ins and outs of getting your gear to its destination safely. BikeFlights, for example, provides detailed video instructions on how to pack your bike and can even coordinate with local bike shops at your destination for assembly and disassembly.
ShipSkis is known for its excellent customer service, with a team of skiers ready to answer your questions and help with any issues that may arise.
Things to Consider:
Cost: While shipping can sometimes be more expensive than checking a bag, it's often more affordable than you might think, especially when you factor in airline oversize and overweight fees. The cost will vary depending on the size and weight of your equipment, the distance it's traveling, and how far in advance you book.
Timing: You'll need to plan to be without your gear for a few days on either end of your trip. Most services recommend scheduling your delivery at least one business day before you arrive to account for any potential weather or shipping delays.
By shipping your sports equipment, you can take the stress out of travel and focus on what really matters: your next great adventure.
We'll Help You Plan a Successful Adventure
When you book your next adventure vacation with Outward Travel, we'll help you make all of these important decisions. We'll interpret your airline's rules, advise on what shipping service to use, and coordinate shipments with your tour operators or hotels however you need. We'll also help you make the right decisions for travel insurance, because normal insurance might not cover the full cost of your gear if its damaged or lost. In every case, working with a Travel Advisor like ours is the best way to ensure your adventure is amazing.
